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Community Guidelines

Our Community Vision

At Sumeru Labs, we are committed to fostering a harmonious, inclusive, and creative community that celebrates global cultural exchange through storytelling. Our platform serves as a bridge connecting creators and readers worldwide, where artificial intelligence enhances human creativity rather than replacing it.

Our Core Values:

• Cultural Exchange: Promoting understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures through literature and interactive storytelling
• Creative Growth: Supporting creators at every stage of their journey, from beginners to experienced authors
• AI-Enhanced Creativity: Using artificial intelligence as a tool to amplify human imagination and learning
• Harmonious Community: Maintaining a respectful environment where all members feel safe and valued
• Original Expression: Encouraging authentic creative voices while respecting intellectual property

1. Community Behavior Standards

1.1 Respectful Communication

All interactions must be respectful and constructive:

• Treat all community members with dignity and kindness
• Use inclusive language that welcomes people from all backgrounds
• Avoid language that could be offensive based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or personal beliefs
• Disagree respectfully when you have different opinions
• Give constructive feedback that helps creators improve

1.2 Prohibited Harmful Content

You may not post content that:

• Targets individuals with harassment, bullying, or personal attacks
• Contains hate speech or discriminatory language
• Promotes violence, self-harm, or dangerous activities
• Shares personal information of others without consent
• Includes sexually explicit content involving minors
• Violates privacy or dignity of real persons
• Infringes on intellectual property rights or promotes copyright violation

1.3 Anti-Inflammatory Posting Policy

To maintain community harmony, we strictly prohibit:

• Inflammatory posts designed to provoke arguments or conflicts
• Trolling or deliberately disruptive behavior
• Off-topic political discussions unrelated to creative content
• Content intended to start unnecessary debates or "flame wars"
• Deliberately controversial statements meant to divide the community

Note: Thoughtful discussions about cultural themes, social issues within stories, and creative techniques are encouraged when conducted respectfully.

2. Platform-Specific Guidelines

2.1 Comments and Reviews

When commenting on novels, visual novels, or creator posts:

• Provide constructive feedback that helps creators grow
• Focus criticism on the work, not the creator personally
• Use spoiler warnings when discussing plot points
• Respect that tastes in literature vary across cultures and individuals
• Avoid demanding specific content changes or updates

Prohibited in Comments:

• Personal attacks on creators or other commenters
• Spam, repetitive, or off-topic comments
• Promotion of external platforms or competing services
• Comments designed to start arguments with other users
• Links to, recommendations of, or discussions promoting pirated content
• Sharing methods to access copyrighted works without authorization

2.2 Discussion Forums

Our discussion areas include various themed forums for:

• Genre-specific discussions (fantasy, romance, sci-fi, etc.)
• Cultural exchange and international perspectives
• Writing techniques and creative advice
• AI-assisted creation tips and best practices

Discussion Forum Rules:

• Stay on topic for each forum's designated purpose
• Use clear, descriptive titles for discussion threads
• Search existing threads before creating duplicate topics
• Respect different cultural perspectives and creative approaches
• Share knowledge generously while respecting intellectual property
• Do not share, request, or discuss methods to access pirated content
• Report any posts that promote copyright infringement

2.3 Anonymous Discussion Areas

We provide anonymous discussion spaces for sensitive topics:

• Mental health and personal struggles reflected in literature
• Cultural challenges and identity exploration
• Creative blocks and artistic development concerns
• Sensitive feedback on controversial or mature themes

Anonymous Area Guidelines:

• Anonymity is not a license for harmful behavior
• All community guidelines still apply in anonymous areas
• Use anonymity to foster honest, vulnerable discussions
• Do not attempt to identify anonymous users
• Report abuse even in anonymous spaces

2.4 Private Messaging

When using private messaging features:

• Respect others' boundaries and communication preferences
• Do not send unsolicited promotional or commercial messages
• Report harassment immediately through our reporting system
• Do not share private conversations without permission
• Respect users who decline to engage in private messages

Private Message Restrictions:

• No commercial solicitation without explicit consent
• No sharing of personal contact information for off-platform communication
• No pressure for collaboration or financial arrangements outside our platform
• No harassment, threats, or inappropriate personal content
• No sharing of pirated content or unauthorized copies of works
• No requests for access to copyrighted material outside official channels

2.5 Derivative Works and Fan Content

For fan fiction, adaptations, and derivative works:

• Always respect original creators' rights and wishes
• Clearly label derivative works and their source material
• Do not monetize derivative works without proper authorization
• Give appropriate credit to original creators
• Respect "Do Not Create Derivative Works" requests from original creators

Encouraging Derivative Creativity:

• Fan works can be a wonderful way to learn and grow as a creator
• Use derivative works as stepping stones to develop original voices
• Engage with source material communities respectfully
• Consider how your derivative work reflects on the original creator and community

3. AI-Assisted Creation Guidelines

3.1 Our AI Philosophy

We believe AI should enhance human creativity, not replace it. Our AI tools are designed to:

• Help new creators overcome creative blocks and learn storytelling techniques
• Assist experienced creators in exploring new styles and efficiency
• Bridge language and cultural barriers for international creators
• Provide educational support for developing writing, art, and audio skills

3.2 Responsible AI Usage

Encouraged AI Usage:

• Learning and Education: Use AI to understand story structure, character development, and writing techniques
• Language Support: AI assistance for non-native speakers to express ideas more clearly
• Creative Exploration: Experimenting with new genres, styles, or narrative approaches
• Efficiency Tools: Grammar checking, formatting assistance, and basic editing support
• Overcoming Blocks: Getting unstuck when facing writer's block or creative challenges

Mentorship Through AI:

• Experienced creators are encouraged to share AI techniques that helped them grow
• Create tutorials and guides for newcomers on effective AI collaboration
• Share prompt engineering techniques that produce better creative results
• Demonstrate how AI can accelerate the learning process without compromising originality

3.3 AI Usage Restrictions

Prohibited AI Usage:

• Complete AI Generation: Submitting entirely AI-generated content as original work
• Deceptive Practices: Hiding significant AI involvement when required to disclose it
• Harmful Content Generation: Using AI to create prohibited content that violates our guidelines
• Plagiarism: Using AI to copy or closely imitate existing works without permission
• Commercial Fraud: Misrepresenting AI-assisted work for unfair commercial advantage

3.4 AI Transparency and Attribution

Required Disclosures:

• Significant AI assistance should be acknowledged in creator notes
• Commercial works should clearly indicate if AI tools were used substantially
• Educational content should explain AI's role in the creative process
• Collaborative works should credit both human and AI contributions appropriately

Transparency Best Practices:

• Share your AI collaboration process with the community
• Explain how AI helped you grow as a creator
• Be honest about which aspects were AI-assisted vs. entirely human-created
• Help others understand how to use AI tools effectively and ethically

4. Cultural Sensitivity and Global Community

4.1 Celebrating Diversity

Our global community includes creators and readers from many cultures:

• Research cultural elements respectfully when writing outside your own background
• Avoid stereotypes and harmful generalizations about any culture or group
• Seek feedback from community members when exploring unfamiliar cultural themes
• Approach cultural exchange with curiosity and respect, not appropriation

4.2 Language and Communication

Supporting multilingual community:

• Be patient with community members using English as a second language
• Offer helpful language corrections in a supportive manner
• Use clear, simple language when possible to aid understanding
• Respect that creative expression may vary across linguistic and cultural backgrounds
• Encourage translation and localization efforts for global accessibility

4.3 Sensitive Topics

When addressing sensitive cultural, historical, or social topics:

• Approach with genuine respect and thorough research
• Consider how your perspective might differ from those directly affected
• Provide content warnings for potentially triggering material
• Be open to feedback from community members with lived experience
• Distinguish between personal opinion and factual representation

5. Content Creation and Sharing Standards

5.1 Original Content Encouragement

We celebrate and prioritize original creative expression:

• Share your unique voice, experiences, and cultural perspective
• Draw inspiration from many sources while creating something distinctly your own
• Use influence from other works as a starting point, not an endpoint
• Develop your personal style through practice and experimentation

5.2 Quality and Effort Standards

All shared content should demonstrate genuine effort:

• Proofread and edit your work before publishing
• Use appropriate formatting for readability
• Provide clear descriptions and appropriate tags
• Consider your audience when selecting content ratings and warnings
• Continuously work to improve your craft and presentation

5.3 Intellectual Property Respect

Protecting creative rights within our community:

• Do not copy or closely imitate other creators' work without permission
• Respect copyright and trademark protections
• Give credit when inspired by or referencing other works
• Report suspected plagiarism or intellectual property violations
• Understand the difference between inspiration and infringement

6. Community Support and Growth

6.1 Supporting New Creators

Helping newcomers succeed in our community:

• Provide encouragement and constructive feedback to beginners
• Share resources, tutorials, and learning opportunities
• Offer collaboration opportunities that help others grow
• Be patient with those learning platform features and community norms
• Celebrate improvements and milestones in others' creative journeys

7.2 Mentorship and Collaboration

Experienced creators are encouraged to:

• Share knowledge about effective storytelling techniques
• Demonstrate best practices for AI-assisted creation
• Offer feedback that helps others improve their craft
• Collaborate on projects that provide learning opportunities
• Create educational content that benefits the entire community

7.3 Cross-Cultural Learning

Facilitating global creative exchange:

• Share insights about storytelling traditions from your culture
• Ask respectful questions about unfamiliar cultural elements in others' work
• Offer to help with cultural accuracy when others write about your background
• Participate in cultural exchange events and discussions
• Promote understanding and appreciation across cultural boundaries

8. Enforcement and Reporting

8.1 Community Moderation

Our moderation approach prioritizes:

• Education over punishment for first-time minor violations
• Context consideration for cultural differences and language barriers
• Proportional responses that match the severity of violations
• Community input on complex moderation decisions when appropriate
• Transparency about enforcement actions and policy interpretations

8.2 Reporting System

How to report violations:

• Use the built-in reporting feature on content and messages
• Provide specific details about the violation and its impact
• Include relevant screenshots or evidence when helpful
• Report promptly to allow for effective intervention
• Follow up if you don't receive confirmation within 48 hours

What to report:

• Content that violates these guidelines
• Harassment, threats, or personal attacks
• Copyright infringement and piracy-related content
• Requests for or sharing of unauthorized content
• Suspected plagiarism or intellectual property violations
• Spam, scams, or fraudulent activity
• Technical abuse or attempts to circumvent platform restrictions

8.3 Appeals Process

If you believe a moderation action was incorrect:

• Submit an appeal through our contact system within 30 days
• Provide additional context or evidence supporting your case
• Explain any cultural or linguistic factors that may have been misunderstood
• Await response from our appeals team (typically within 7 business days)
• Accept final decisions gracefully while learning from the experience

9. Consequences for Violations

9.1 Progressive Enforcement

Our typical response to violations:

First Offense (Minor):

• Educational message explaining the guideline
• Content removal if necessary
• No account penalties for good-faith mistakes

Repeated Minor Offenses:

• Formal warning with explanation
• Temporary restrictions on posting or commenting (1-7 days)
• Required acknowledgment of guidelines before restoration

Serious Violations:

• Immediate content removal
• Temporary suspension (7-30 days)
• Removal from creator revenue program if applicable
• Loss of special privileges or features

Severe Violations:

• Immediate account suspension or termination
• Removal of all content and revenue forfeiture
• Permanent ban from creating new accounts
• Reporting to law enforcement if illegal activity is involved

Copyright and Piracy Violations:

• Zero tolerance policy for piracy promotion or content sharing
• Immediate termination for repeat copyright violations
• Full cooperation with legal authorities and rights holders
• Public reporting of anti-piracy enforcement actions

9.2 Factors in Enforcement Decisions

We consider:

• Intent and context of the violation
• Previous violation history
• Impact on other community members
• Cultural and linguistic factors
• Good faith efforts to correct mistakes
• Community standing and positive contributions

10. Community Events and Initiatives

10.1 Regular Community Programs

We host various events to strengthen our community:

• Cultural Exchange Weeks: Featuring stories and creators from specific regions
• AI Learning Workshops: Teaching responsible and effective AI usage
• New Creator Bootcamps: Intensive support for platform newcomers
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration Projects: Pairing creators from different backgrounds
• Seasonal Writing Challenges: Community-wide creative prompts and contests

10.2 Community Recognition

Celebrating positive community contributions:

• Helpful Community Member recognition for those who support others
• Cultural Ambassador status for promoting cross-cultural understanding
• AI Innovation recognition for creative and responsible AI usage
• Mentorship Excellence for experienced creators who help newcomers
• Harmony Keeper for members who help maintain community peace

11. Updates and Community Input

11.1 Guideline Evolution

These guidelines will evolve with our community:

• Regular review based on community feedback and platform growth
• Public comment periods for major changes
• Community surveys on guideline effectiveness
• Creator council input on policy impacts
• Transparency reports on enforcement trends and outcomes

11.2 Community Participation

Help shape our community standards:

• Participate in guideline review discussions
• Provide feedback through official channels
• Share cultural perspectives that inform policy development
• Suggest improvements based on your community experience
• Vote in community polls about guideline changes

12. Contact and Support

For questions about these guidelines:

• General Questions: xiaoyu@sumeru-labs.com or yuqing@sumeru-labs.com
• Reporting Violations: Use in-platform reporting tools or email with "Community Report" in subject
• Copyright Issues: Email with "Copyright Report" or "DMCA Notice" in subject line
• Appeals: Email with "Guideline Appeal" in subject line
• Cultural Sensitivity Questions: Email with "Cultural Guidance" in subject

Community Support Resources:

• Creator Help Center: In-platform tutorials and FAQ
• Community Forum: Peer support and discussion
• Cultural Exchange Hub: Resources for cross-cultural understanding
• AI Best Practices Guide: Tutorials for responsible AI usage

Remember: These guidelines exist to help our community thrive. When in doubt, ask yourself: "Will this help create a more harmonious, creative, and inclusive community?"

Together, we're building a global creative community where every voice matters and every culture is celebrated.